Show the danger of metaphor metaphor and simile poignant weapons in the armory of a skilled debater produce disastrous effects in the hands of the inexpert certain figures originally of force and freshness causa a bleak sense of depression from the frequency of their employment by halting speakers and one who desires to engage the understanding of an audience ought at whatever sacrifice to take a pledge of total abstinence from such outworn as the thin end of the wedge oil on the troubled waters etc some it must be confessed the audience derives unexpected and lasting enjoyment from the delightful of figurative discourse the pages of hansard bear or aa least ought to bear on record the poetic flights of a certain honorable baronet who became in parliament the very darling of debate those were fortunate enough to be present on the evening when he was denouncing the courso taken by one of his colleagues in the representation of ireland will remember the rich brogue in which he referred to him as the young sea serpent from county clare and how he was promptly called to order by the speaker for using the expression very well mr speaker he rejoined ruling of course and beg leave to withdraw the sea bergent Ber pent blackwood magazine |